Clothes processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates a package assembly comprising: a support unit which can seat any one of a first cabinet and a second cabinet on the other one of the first cabinet and the second cabinet to carry the first cabinet and the second cabinet as one set.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/002229, filed on Feb. 23,2018, which claims the benefit of Korean Application No.10-2017-0024931, filed on Feb. 24, 2017. The disclosures of the priorapplications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a packaging assembly of a laundrytreating apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, the term “laundry treating apparatus” refers to an apparatuscapable of performing washing and drying or either washing or drying ofclothes and the like. Here, the laundry treating apparatus may performonly the washing or drying function, or both the washing function andthe drying function. Recently, washing machines provided with a steamsupply device to perform a refresh function of removing wrinkles, odors,static electricity, and the like from clothes have been used.

Conventional laundry treating apparatuses are divided into a frontloading type and a top loading type according to a retrieval directionof clothes. A typical example of this horizontal type is a drum washingmachine or a drum dryer.

The front load type laundry treating apparatus refers to a laundrytreating apparatus that has an opening formed in the front and a rotaryshaft of the drum parallel to the ground or inclined with respect to theground at a constant angle. The top load type laundry treating apparatushas an opening formed at the top and a rotary shaft of the drumvertically with respect to the ground.

These laundry treating apparatuses are gradually increasing in size inresponse to the demand of users in recent years. In other words, thesize of the washing machine used for home use is gradually increasing.

Generally, each household is equipped with one high-capacity laundrytreating apparatus. Accordingly, when the laundry is to be washed byclassifying the clothes according to the types of the clothes, thelaundry treating apparatus is used many times. For example, when laundrysuch as adult clothes and laundry such as underwear or baby clothes needto be separately washed, the laundry treating apparatus will be used towash the latter laundry after washing of the former laundry iscompleted. As a result, a long time and large energy consumption arerequired to perform the washing operation.

Further, it is not desirable in terms of energy saving to use a largelaundry treating apparatus in washing a small amount of clothing as inthe conventional cases. Most washing phases provided in large laundrytreating apparatuses assume a large amount of laundry, and thus consumea large amount of water. In addition, they cause large power consumptionas they need to rotate a large drum or inner tub.

In addition, since the washing phase assumes a large amount of laundry,a relatively long time is taken for washing.

In addition, since the large laundry treating apparatus is provided witha washing phase assuming typical clothes, it may not be suitable forwashing of delicate fabrics such as underwear or baby clothes.

Further, a large laundry treating apparatus is not suitable for a casewhere a small amount of laundry needs to be frequently washed. Consumerscollect laundry for a few days or a longer period to wash the laundry ata time. It is not good in terms of cleanliness to leave underwear andbaby clothes unwashed for a long time. When the laundry is left unwashedfor a long time, stains are likely to stick to the fabrics and thus thelaundry is not thoroughly washed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a small laundry treating apparatuswhich has a much smaller capacity than the conventional large laundrytreating apparatus.

However, even when small-size laundry treating apparatuses are used, itis not desirable in terms of space utilization and aesthetics to installtwo laundry treating apparatuses side by side in the same house.

In recent years, in order to address the issues described above, alaundry treating apparatus combining a small laundry treating apparatusand a large laundry treating apparatus has emerged.

Accordingly, a small amount of clothing can be washed in the smalllaundry treating apparatus, and a large amount of clothing or bulkyclothing can be washed in the large laundry treating apparatus. As aresult, space utilization may be improved, and water, energy, and timemay be saved.

However, the large laundry treating apparatus and the small laundrytreating apparatus need to be individually packed and transported,thereby causing inconvenience.

In particular, in the case where the large laundry treating apparatusand the small laundry treating apparatus constitute one set, the largelaundry treating apparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus needto be packed separately and then transported, which causesinconvenience.

Manufacturers undergo inconvenience as they are required to pack ortransport large laundry treating apparatuses and small laundry treatingapparatuses separately rather than packing a large laundry treatingapparatus and a small laundry treating apparatuses together as a set.

Sellers also undergo inconvenience as they are required to display thelarge laundry treating apparatuses and the small laundry treatingapparatuses separately, or to rearrange and classify each pair of thelarge laundry treating apparatus and the small laundry treatingapparatus.

As the large laundry treating apparatus and the small laundry treatingapparatus are separately packed and arranged, consumers may notrecognize that the large laundry treating apparatus and the smalllaundry treating apparatus are configured in pair.

In addition, since the packed large laundry treating apparatus and thepacked small laundry treating apparatus are not arranged in position foractual use, consumers may not have a clear understanding of the layoutand structure of the pair.

Further, when the large laundry treating apparatus and the small laundrytreating apparatus are stacked and transported, the laundry treatingapparatuses may be damaged by an impact.

In addition, the internal components of the large laundry treatingapparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus are likely to beshaken and damaged during the transportation, and thus each of thelaundry treating apparatuses needs a separate member for preventingshaking.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging assemblyfor packaging and transporting the large laundry treating apparatus andthe small laundry treating apparatus as a pair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packagingassembly for packaging and transporting the large laundry treatingapparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus together at a time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packagingassembly for preventing breakage and damage in packaging andtransporting the large laundry treating apparatus and the small laundrytreating apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packagingassembly capable of preventing internal components of the large laundrytreating apparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus from shakingas one device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packagingassembly for packaging and transporting the large laundry treatingapparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus as one package suchthat consumers recognize the laundry treating apparatuses as one pair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packagingassembly for packaging the large laundry treating apparatus and thesmall laundry treating apparatus arranged in position for actual use.

Technical Solution

In one aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a packagingassembly including a support part configured to seat one of the firstcabinet and a second cabinet on top of the other one of the firstcabinet and the second cabinet first cabinet and the second cabinet ontop of the other one of the first cabinet and the second cabinet totransport the first cabinet and the second cabinet as one set.

The support part may include a support frame configured to accommodatethe first cabinet therein and support the second cabinet placed thereon.

The support frame may include an upper frame spaced apart from eachcorner of a top surface of the first cabinet, and a plurality of sideframes extending downward from each vertex of the upper frame.

The packaging assembly may further include an upper shock absorptionmember detachably provided to a corner of a top surface of the firstcabinet to support the upper frame, and a side shock absorption memberdetachably provided to side corners of the first cabinet to contact theside frames.

The packaging assembly may further include a lower shock absorptionmember detachably arranged on a bottom surface of the first cabinet tosupport the first cabinet and the side shock absorption member.

The upper shock absorption member may be provided with an upper grooveat a corner of the upper shock absorption member, the upper grooveaccommodating at least one of the upper frame and the side frame.

The upper groove may include a first groove defined by one steppedcorner of the upper shock absorption member to accommodate the upperframe, and a second groove defined by a stepped corner adjacent toopposite ends of the one corner to accommodate the side frame.

The side shock absorption member may include a side groove defined by astepped corner of the side shock absorption member positioned farthestfrom the first cabinet, the side groove accommodating the side frame.

The side frame may extend from the upper frame to a lower end of thelower shock absorption member, wherein the lower shock absorption membermay include a lower groove formed at each vertex thereof to accommodatethe side frame.

The lower shock absorption member may include an accommodation grooveformed in a top surface thereof to accommodate a lower portion of thefirst cabinet.

The packaging assembly may further include a lower accommodation partconfigured to accommodate a lower portion of the lower shock absorptionmember and fix lower ends of the plurality of side frames.

The lower accommodation part may be formed of a material having highbrittleness.

The first cabinet may include a first clothes accommodation partconfigured to accommodate clothes therein, wherein the support part mayinclude a fixing part arranged on the second cabinet to support thefirst clothes accommodation part.

The second cabinet may include a second clothes accommodation partconfigured to accommodate clothes therein, wherein the fixing part maybe supported by the second clothes accommodation part to support thefirst clothes accommodation part.

The fixing part may be supported by the second clothes accommodationpart and arranged through a top surface of the second cabinet and abottom surface of the first cabinet to support the first clothesaccommodation part.

The fixing part may include a closing fixing part arranged on an topsurface of the second clothes accommodation part so as to be parallel tothe top surface of the second cabinet, and a supporting fixing partcoupled to an upper portion of the closing fixing part to support thefirst clothes accommodation part.

The closing fixing part may include a closing body supported on the topsurface of the second clothes accommodation part to close a penetratedportion of the second cabinet, a slide groove formed in a top surface ofthe closing body to guide a coupling position of the supporting fixingpart, and a coupling groove formed the top surface of the closing bodyand coupled with the supporting fixing part to fix the supporting fixingpart.

The supporting fixing part may include a fixing body fixed to theclosing fixing part to support the first clothes accommodation part, aslide rib protruding from the fixing body so as to slide in the slidegroove, and a coupling protrusion protruding from the fixing body so asto be inserted into the coupling groove and coupled thereto.

One of the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove may be providedwith a magnetic force generator configured to generate a magnetic field,and the other one of the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove maybe provided with a magnetic member magnetized by the magnetic field ofthe magnetic force generator.

The first cabinet may further include a rear panel defining a rearsurface of the first cabinet and detachably provided to the firstcabinet, wherein the fixing part may be removed from the second cabinetby separating the rear panel from the first cabinet.

Advantageous Effects

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may enable the large laundry treating apparatus and the smalllaundry treating apparatus to be packaged and transported as a pair.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may enable the large laundry treating apparatus and the smalllaundry treating apparatus to be packaged and transported together at atime.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may prevent breakage and damage in packaging and transportingthe large laundry treating apparatus and the small laundry treatingapparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may prevent internal components of the large laundry treatingapparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus from shaking as oneapparatus. The packaging assembly may enable the large laundry treatingapparatus and the small laundry treating apparatus to be packaged andtransported as one package. Thereby, consumers may recognize the laundrytreating apparatuses as one pair.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may enable the large laundry treating apparatus and the smalllaundry treating apparatus to be arranged in position for actual use andpackaged.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a packagingassembly may enable sellers and consumers to clearly recognize that thelarge laundry treating apparatus and the small laundry treatingapparatus constitute one pair.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a laundry treating apparatus packaged in apackaging assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the structure of a second laundry treating apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the packaging assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of a shock absorption member.

FIG. 5 shows a structure of the packaging assembly capable of carrying afirst cabinet and a second cabinet simultaneously.

FIG. 6 shows completeness of the packaging assembly.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the packaging assembly according tothe present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the second laundry treating apparatus provided with afixing part.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a detailed structure of the fixing part.

FIG. 11 illustrates installation and release of the fixing part.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theconfiguration or control method of the apparatus described below is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention, but to describethe embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numeralswill be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or likeparts.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theconfiguration or control method of the apparatus described below is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention, but to describethe embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numeralswill be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or likeparts.

The present invention is directed to a packaging assembly capable ofpackaging a first cabinet 110 defining the appearance of the firstlaundry treating apparatus 100 and a second cabinet 210 defining theappearance of the second laundry treating apparatus 200 as a pair (aset).

FIG. 1 shows the basic structure of a first laundry treating apparatus100 and a second laundry treating apparatus 200 which are to be packagedby the packaging assembly of the present invention.

The first laundry treating apparatus 100 may be larger than the secondlaundry treating apparatus 200. Both the first laundry treatingapparatus 100 and the second laundry treating apparatus 200 may beprovided as washing apparatuses.

The first laundry treating apparatus 100 may have a larger washingcapacity than the second laundry treating apparatus 200, and the secondlaundry treating apparatus 200 may be provided as an auxiliary laundrytreating apparatus for the first laundry treating apparatus 100.

The second laundry treating apparatus 200 may be arranged under thefirst laundry treating apparatus 100.

However, unlike the illustrated example, the second laundry treatingapparatus 200 may be arranged at the top of or on a side of the firstlaundry treating apparatus 100.

When the second laundry treating apparatus 200 is arranged under thefirst laundry treating apparatus 100, the second laundry treatingapparatus 200 may be provided a drawer type laundry treating apparatusin order to avoid interference with the first laundry treating apparatus100.

The first laundry treating apparatus 100 may be provided as a front loadtype laundry treating apparatus, which has an opening in the frontthereof, and the second laundry treating apparatus 200 may be providedas a top load type laundry treating apparatus, which has an opening atthe top thereof.

The first laundry treating apparatus 100 may include a first cabinet 110defining the appearance thereof, a first tub 120 arranged inside thecabinet 110 to store water, a first drum 130 rotatably arranged in thefirst tub 120 to accommodate clothes, a first drive unit 140 coupled tothe first tub 120 to rotate the first drum 130, a first damper 150configured to fix the first tub 120 to the first cabinet 110, a firstwater supply unit 160 configured to supply water to the first tub 120,and a first drainage unit 170 configured to drain water from the firsttub 120.

The first laundry treating apparatus 110 may be provided as a dryer. Inthis case, the first tub 120 may be omitted and only the first drum 130may be provided in the first cabinet 110.

The first cabinet 110 may be provided with an opening in the frontthereof, and the first laundry treating apparatus 100 may include afirst door 122 configure to open and close an introduction port of thefirst tub 110 and the opening.

The first laundry treating apparatus 100 may also include a first gasket123 configured to seal a gap between the first cabinet 110 and the firsttub 120.

The first water supply unit 160 may include a water supply pipe and adetergent box. The first drainage unit 170 may include a drain pump anda drain pipe. The first water supply unit 160 and the first drainageunit 170 may be formed in any structure as long as they can supply waterto the first tub 120 and drain water.

The first drive unit 140 may include a first stator 141 arranged on therear surface of the first tub 120 to generate a rotating magnetic field,a first rotor 142 rotated by the first stator 141, a rotary shaft 143configured to rotate together with the first rotor 142 to rotate thefirst drum 130.

The second laundry treating apparatus 200 may be provided as anauxiliary laundry treating apparatus for the first laundry treatingapparatus 100 to constitute one set together with the first laundrytreating apparatus 100. The second laundry treating apparatus 200 may beformed to have a smaller volume than the first laundry treatingapparatus to wash a small amount of clothes.

The second laundry treating apparatus 200 may include a second cabinet210 configured to support the first laundry treating apparatus 100 anddefining the appearance of the second laundry treating apparatus 200,the second cabinet being provided with a second opening 211 in the frontthereof, a drawer 220 arranged inside the second cabinet 210 so as to bedrawn out of or inserted into the second opening 211, a second tub 230arranged inside the drawer 220 to store water, a second drum 240rotatably arranged inside the second tub 230 to accommodate clothes, asecond drive unit 240 coupled to the second tub 230 to rotate the seconddrum 240, and a second damper 260 configured to fix the second tub 230to the drawer 220.

The second laundry treating apparatus 200 may include a second watersupply unit 270 configured to supply water to the second tub 230, and asecond drainage unit 280 configured to drain water from the second tub230. The second water supply unit 270 and the second drainage unit 280may be provided with a flexible tube consider that the drawer 220 isdrawn out forward.

On the other hand, the second laundry treating apparatus 200 may beprovided as a dryer. In this case, the second tub 230 may be omitted.

The second drive unit 240 may include a second stator 241 arranged on abottom surface of the second tub 230 to generate a rotating magneticfield, a second rotor 242 rotated by the second stator 241, and a secondrotary shaft 243 configured to rotate together with the second rotor 242to rotate the second drum 240.

The second damper 260 may include a first bracket 261 protruding fromthe inner peripheral surface of the drawer 220, a second bracket 262protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the second tub 230and positioned lower than the first bracket 261, and a connection bar265 connecting the first bracket 261 and the second bracket 262.

Hereinafter, at least one of the first tub 120 and the first drum 130 isreferred to as a first clothes accommodation part 121, and at least oneof the second tub 230 and the second drum 240 is referred to as a secondclothes accommodation part 231.

This is because the same packaging method and structure are usedregardless of whether the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210are provided as washing apparatuses or dryers.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drawer 220 may be drawn out of the secondopening 211 of the second cabinet 210. The drawer 220 may include adrawer panel 222 arranged at the front thereof and formed to be largerthan the second opening 211.

The drawer 220 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape andprovided with an open surface 221 at the top thereof to allow theoutside of the drawer 220 to communicate with the second tub 230.

The second tub 230 may be provided with an introduction port at the topthereof so as to communicate with the open surface 221. The introductionport may be opened and closed by the second door 232.

The second door 232 may be provided to any one of the drawer 220 or thesecond tub 230 to open and close the introduction port of the second tub230.

The second door 232 may include a frame 232 a defining the appearance ofthe second door 232, a hinge 232 c provided at the rear of the frame 232a and having an axis of rotation of the second door 232, and a window232 b provided on an inner surface of the second frame 232 a to allowthe inside of the second tub 230 to be seen therethrough.

The second door 232 may be arranged to rotate upward from the seconddrawer 220 and not to be introduced into the second tub 230.

That is, the second door 232 may have a larger diameter than theintroduction port of the second tub 230.

FIG. 3 shows a structure of a packaging assembly capable of packagingthe first laundry treating apparatus and the second laundry treatingapparatus as a pair so as to be transported together.

The packaging assembly of the present invention include a support part300 configured to seat and support one of the first cabinet 110 and thesecond cabinet 210 on the other one of the first cabinet 110 and thefirst cabinet 110. The packaging assembly may be configured to transportthe first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 at a time.

The support part 300 may include a support frame 310 configured toaccommodate the first cabinet 110 and support the second cabinet 210arranged thereon.

The support frame 310 may be provided as a rigid body capable ofmaintaining a certain shape.

The second cabinet 210 may be disposed on the support frame 310 (seeFIG. 5). The first cabinet 110 may be disposed inside the support frame310 so as not to collide with or contact the second cabinet 210.

Since the support frame 310 has its own thickness, the second cabinet210 is unlikely to collide with or contact the first cabinet 110 evenwhen it is brought into contact with or seated on the top surface of thefirst cabinet 110.

In addition, even if the packaging assembly 300 overturns or falls whilethe first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 are transportedtogether with the support frame 310, most of the shock may be absorbedby the support frame 310, and the support frame 310 may prevent thefirst cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 from colliding with eachother.

The support frame 310 may be formed of a brittle material inconsideration of shock absorption.

Thus, the support frame 310 may be formed of a wood material. When thesupport frame 310 is provided with a material such as wood, it may haverigidity high enough to support the second frame 210 and may be brokenwhen subjected to impact. Accordingly, the support frame may minimizedamage to the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 when theassembly is dropped or overturned.

In order to prevent shock applied to the support frame 310 from beingtransmitted to the first cabinet 110, the support frame 310 may beformed to occupy a larger volume than the first cabinet 110.

The support frame 310 may include an upper frame 311 spaced apart from atop surface of the first cabinet 110 by a predetermined distance, and aplurality of side frames 312 extending from each vertex of the upperframe 110 toward the bottom surface of the first cabinet 110.

The upper frame 311 may be formed to correspond to the shape of theupper surface of the first cabinet 110. For example, the upper frame 310may have a rectangular shape.

The side frames 312 may be integrated with the upper frame 311, and maybe longer than the height of the first cabinet 110. Accordingly, theside frames 312 may keep the upper frame 311 spaced apart from the topsurface of the first cabinet 110.

The support frame 310 may have a shape obtained by enlarging the shapeof the first cabinet 110 at a predetermined ratio.

Accordingly, when the assembly overturns or falls, the support frame 310may not transmit a shock applied directly thereto to the first cabinet110.

In addition, the support frame 310 may not have a separate frame at thebottom thereof. The side frame 312 have an upper end connected to theupper frame 311, and a lower end configured as a free end. Accordingly,when the packaging assembly 300 overturns or falls, the side frame 312may be spread or broken in all directions, thereby absorbing most of theshock applied thereto.

The packaging assembly 300 of the present invention may further includea shock absorption member 320 detachably provided at a corner of thefirst cabinet 110 to absorb shock.

The shock absorption member 320 may be arranged to fill the spacebetween the support frame 310 and the first cabinet 110 and to supportthe support frame 310 to maintain the shape of the support frame 310.

In addition, when the support frame 310 overturns or falls, or whenexternal shock is transmitted to the support frame 310, the shockabsorption member may absorb shock to protect the first cabinet 110.

The shock absorption member 320 may be formed of a material capable ofabsorbing external shock. For example, it may be formed of polystyreneor a porous material.

The shock absorption member 320 may include an upper shock absorptionmember 321 detachably provided to a corner of the top surface of thefirst cabinet 110 to support the upper frame 311, and a side shockabsorption member 322 detachably provided to a corner of side surfacesof the first cabinet 110 so as to contact the side frames.

Since the side shock absorption member is detachably provided to thefirst cabinet 110, the side shock absorption member may include aplurality of side shock absorption members, and the upper shockabsorption member 321 may be detachably arranged on the top surface ofthe first cabinet 110.

However, the upper shock absorption members 321 may be provided to onecorner of the first cabinet 110 and an opposite corner facing the onecorner of the first cabinet 110, rather than covering the entire topsurface of the first cabinet 110. That is, the upper shock absorptionmember 321 may be detachably arranged only at corners of the firstcabinet 110 facing each other such the top surface of the first cabinet110 is exposed as much as possible.

Thereby, the load of the second cabinet 210 is transferred to the topsurface of the first cabinet 110, the top surface of the first cabinet110 may be bent downward. In addition, since the top surface of thefirst cabinet 110 is supported by a side panel defining the side surfaceof the first cabinet 110, it has sufficient rigidity and thus maywithstand the load of the second cabinet 210 applied thereto.

The side shock absorption members 322 may be separated from each otherand provided to the respective corners of the first cabinet 110.Accordingly, the side shock absorption members 322 may be easilydetached from the first cabinet 110.

At least a part of the second cabinet 210 may be seated on the topsurface of the upper shock absorption member 321. In the case where thesecond cabinet 210 is packaged in a separate packaging member 301, apart of the packaging member 301 of the second cabinet 210 may be seatedon the top surface.

As a result, the load of the second cabinet 210 may be distributed bythe support frame 310 and the shock absorption member 320.

The shock absorption member 320 may further include a lower shockabsorption member 323 arranged on the bottom surface of the firstcabinet 110 to support the first cabinet 110 and the side shockabsorption members 322.

The side shock absorption member 322 may be arranged between the uppershock absorption member 312 and the lower shock absorption member 323.The lower shock absorption member 323 by supporting the side shockabsorption member 322 the upper shock absorption member 312 bysupporting the side shock absorption member 322.

The lower shock absorption member 323 may include an accommodationgroove 323 b formed on the top surface thereof to accommodate a lowerportion of the first cabinet 110 (see FIG. 4).

The accommodation groove 323 b may be formed such that the depth thereofis less than the thickness of the lower shock absorption member 323.This is intended to prevent the bottom surface of the first cabinet 110from directly contacting the ground.

At least a part of the first cabinet 110 may be press-fitted into theaccommodation groove 323 b.

Even when the entire packaging assembly 300 falls with the first cabinet110 and the second cabinet 210 packaged therein, the lower shockabsorption member 323 may absorb shock, thereby protecting the secondcabinet 210 as well as the first cabinet 110.

FIG. 4 shows a specific configuration of the shock absorption member320.

Referring to FIG. 4(a), the upper shock absorption member 321 mayinclude an upper groove 321 a, 321 b to accommodate one of the upperframe 311 and the side frame 312 at each corner.

The upper groove may include a first groove 321 a defined by one steppedcorner of the upper shock absorption member to accommodate the upperframe 311, and a second groove 321 b defined by a stepped corneradjacent to opposite ends of the one corner to accommodate the sideframe 312.

The support frame 310 may be seated and supported in the first groove321 a and the second groove 321 b of the upper shock absorption member321. In addition, the support frame 310 may be press-fitted into theupper shock absorption member 321.

Thereby, adhesion or close contact between the support frame 310 and theupper shock absorption member 321 may be maximized, and the upper shockabsorption member 321 may be prevented from being separated from thesupport frame 310 even when an external shock is applied thereto.

In addition, the other portion of the upper shock absorption member 321than the first groove 321 a and the second groove 321 b may be parallelto the support frame 310 or protrude to the outside of the support frame310.

Accordingly, even when another packaging assembly or other homeappliance outside the support frame 310 collides with the packagingassembly in which the first packaging 110 and the second cabinet 210 arepackaged, the upper shock absorption member 321 may absorb the shock.

In addition, the top surface of the upper shock absorption member 321may be arranged parallel to the upper end of the support frame 310, andaccordingly it may support the second cabinet 210.

Referring to FIG. 4(b), the side shock absorption member 322 may includea side groove 322 a defined by a stepped corner of the side shockabsorption member positioned farthest from the first cabinet, the sidegroove accommodating the side frame 312.

That is, the side shock absorption member 322 may be fixed to the sideframe 312 and thus may not be separated. Thus, coupling or close contactwith the side frame 312 may be maximized.

In addition, the side shock absorption member 322 may be arrangedparallel to the outermost surface of the side frame 312 or protrude fromthe outermost surface to absorb any external shock.

The side frame 312 may extend up to the lower end of the packagingassembly 300. The side frame 312 may extend from the upper frame 311 tothe lower end of the lower shock absorption member 323 beyond the bottomof the first cabinet 110.

This is intended to make the side frame 312 positioned as close to theground as possible to maximize supportability.

Referring to FIG. 4(c), the lower shock absorption member 323 mayinclude a lower groove 323 a for accommodating the side frame 312 ateach corner.

The lower groove 323 a may not only prevent the side frame 312 and thelower shock absorption member 323 from interfering with each other, butalso improve close contact with the lower shock absorption member 323,thereby enhancing durability of the side frame 312.

FIG. 5 shows a packaging assembly 300 arranging to be integrally packageand transport the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210, which isseated on the support part 300.

The second cabinet 210 may be supported by at least one of the upperframe 311 or the upper shock absorption member 321. Accordingly, evenwhen the packaging assembly 300 is dropped, shock may not be transmittedto the second cabinet 210, and the second cabinet 210 may be preventedfrom colliding with the first cabinet 110.

Since the side frame 312 is connected only to the upper frame 311, thelower end of the side frame 312 is provided as a free end.

Thereby, the side frame 312 is allowed to move relatively freely.Accordingly, when the assembly overturns or falls, the side frame 312may absorb the shock applied to the packaging assembly 300 as it spreadsout, is separated from the upper frame 311, or is broken.

However, since the side frame 312 is not fixed, the lower shockabsorption member 323 may be damaged, and it may be difficult totransport and store the packaging assembly 300.

To address this issue, the packaging assembly 300 of the presentinvention may further include a lower accommodation part 350 configuredto accommodate a lower portion of the first cabinet 110 and to supportthe lower ends of the plurality of side frames.

When the lower shock absorption member 323 is not provided, the loweraccommodation part 350 may accommodate the lower portion of the firstcabinet 110. When the lower shock absorption member 323 is provided, thelower accommodation part may accommodate the lower shock absorptionmember 323, thereby accommodating the lower portion of the first cabinet110.

The lower accommodation part 350 may be formed as a recess. The lowershock absorption member 323 may be press-fitted into the recess. Thelower accommodation part 350 may serve to fix the lower ends of the sideframes 312 in cooperation with the lower grooves 323 a to fix the sideframes 312.

The lower accommodation part 350 may be formed of a material havinghigher brittleness than the support frame 310. For example, the loweraccommodation part 350 may be formed of plastics, and may be arranged ina corrugated cardboard shape to absorb external shock.

Accordingly, when the packaging assembly 300 falls, the loweraccommodation part 350 may be damaged such that the side frames 312 canbe freely deformed or broken to absorb shock.

The second cabinet 210 may be separately packaged with a separatepackaging member 301 and a packing band 302 for fixing the packagingmember to prevent damage to the appearance of the second cabinet.

FIG. 6 shows 6 the final form of the packaging assembly 300.

The first cabinet 110 and the shock absorption part 320 may beaccommodated in the support frame 310, and the second cabinet 210 may beseated on the support frame 310. Then, the packaging assembly 300 may bewrapped with the packaging member 303 as a whole.

Thereafter, the packaging member 323 may be fixed by a plurality ofbands 304 for fixing the same. Thereby, the second cabinet 210 may beprevented from being separated from the support frame 310.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the packaging assembly according tothe present invention.

Since the first cabinet 110 is larger and heavier than the secondcabinet 210, the first cabinet 110 may be arranged in a lower portion ofthe support frame 310.

However, in the case where the support part 300 is provided with thesupport frame 310, the user or seller may need to remove the package andswitch the positions of the second cabinet 210 and the first cabinet110.

Therefore, arranging the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 inposition for actual use and packaging the same at a time may beconsidered. That is, the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210need to be packaged or transported with the second cabinet 210 seated onthe first cabinet 110.

However, when the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 areintegrally arranged and transported, the overall center of gravitythereof may be shifted upward because the first cabinet 110 may has alarger volume. When vibration is caused during transportation of thepackaging assembly in which the second cabinet 210 and the first cabinet110 seated thereon are packaged, the first clothes accommodation part121 will vibrate. When the first clothes accommodation part 121vibrates, the overall amplitude may severely increase because most ofthe vibration occurs at a high position where the center of gravity isplaced.

As a result, there is a risk that the first cabinet 110 is dropped or isseparated from the second cabinet 210.

In addition, when the second clothes accommodation part 231 provided inthe second cabinet 210 vibrates, the vibration may be transmitted to thefirst cabinet 110, and the first clothes accommodation part 121 mayvibrate, increasing the overall amplitude.

Therefore, the first clothes accommodation part 121 and the secondclothes accommodation part 231 need to be prevented from being vibratedduring transportation.

Referring to FIG. 7, the support part 300 of the packaging assembly ofthe present invention may include a fixing part 330 configured tosupport the first clothes accommodation part 121 seated on the topsurface of the second cabinet 210 and arranged inside the first cabinet110.

The packaging assembly may further include a shock absorption member(see FIG. 9), a packaging member (not shown) and a band (not shown),which are arranged outside the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet210, as well as the fixing part 330.

The fixing part 330 may support the first clothes accommodation part 121arranged inside the first cabinet 110 to prevent the first clothesaccommodation part 121 from vibrating. Even when the first clothesaccommodation part 121 vibrates, the fixing part 330 may dampen orattenuate the vibration.

To this end, the first cabinet 110 may include a lower through hole 112through which the fixing part 330 is inserted into the bottom surface.The second cabinet 210 may include an upper through hole 212 formed inthe top surface thereof, and the fixing part 330 may be supported on thetop surface of the second clothes accommodation part 231.

That is, the fixing part 330 may be supported on the top surface of thesecond clothes accommodation part 231 to support the bottom surface ofthe first clothes accommodation part 121.

Thereby, the fixing part 330 may prevent the second clothesaccommodation part 231 from vibrating or being displaced, and alsoprevent the first clothes accommodation part 121 from vibrating.

Therefore, the first cabinet 110 may be prevented from overturning evenwhen the second cabinet 210 and the first cabinet 110 seated on the topsurface thereof are packaged and transported.

In addition, the fixing part 330 may prevent the first clothesaccommodation part 121 and the second clothes accommodation part 231from colliding with the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210.

The fixing part 330 may ensure that the second cabinet 210 and the firstcabinet 110 seated on the top surface thereof are stably packaged ortransported.

FIG. 8 illustrates coupling between the second cabinet 210 and thefixing part 330.

Referring to FIG. 8, a lower end of the fixing part 330 may be seated onand supported by the top surface of the second door 232 of the secondclothes accommodation part 231. Specifically, the lower end of thefixing part 330 may be supported by the window 232 b of the second door232.

Since the fixing part 330 can push the second clothes accommodation part231 downward, the first bracket 261 and the second bracket 263 may bemaintained from the connection bar 265 as far from each other aspossible.

Thereby, the second clothes accommodation part 231 may be prevented frombeing displaced or vibrating in the drawer 220 or the second cabinet210.

When the fixing part 330 is arranged to protrude from the second cabinet210, it may be difficult to seat the first cabinet 110 on the secondcabinet 210.

Therefore, in order to address this issue, the fixing part 330 mayinclude a closing fixing part 331 arranged on the top surface of thesecond clothes accommodation part 231 so as to be parallel to the upperthrough hole 212 to close the upper through hole 212, and a supportingfixing part 332 separately coupled to an upper portion of the closingfixing part 331 to support the first clothes accommodation part 121.

Thus, as the closing fixing part 331 is first installed on the secondcabinet 210, the first cabinet 110 is seated, and then the supportingfixing part 332 is additionally coupled to an upper portion of theclosing fixing part 331, the packaging assembly may be completed.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate coupling between the closing fixing part 331and the supporting fixing part 332.

The closing fixing part 331 may include a closing body 331 a supportedon the top surface of the second clothes accommodation part 231 to closethe upper through-hole 212, a slide groove 331 b formed in the topsurface of the closing body 331 a to guide a coupling position of thesupporting fixing part 332, and a coupling groove 331 c formed in thetop surface of the closing body 331 a and coupled with the supportingfixing part 332 to fix the supporting fixing part 332.

The supporting fixing part 332 may include a fixing body 332 a fixed tothe closing fixing part 331 to support the first clothes accommodationpart 121, a slide rib 332 b protruding from the fixing body 332 a so asto slide in the slide groove 331 b, and a coupling protrusion 332 cprotruding from the fixing body 332 a so as to be inserted into thecoupling groove 331 c and coupled thereto.

One of the coupling protrusion 332 c and the coupling groove 331 c maybe provided as a magnetic force generator for generating a magneticfield, and the other of the coupling protrusion 332 c and the couplinggroove 331 c may be provided as a magnetic member to be magnetized bythe magnetic field of the magnetic force generator.

Thus, even when the supporting fixing part 332 is subjected to externalforce or vibration, it may be prevented from being separated from theclosing fixing part 331.

FIG. 11 illustrates a method and procedure of removing the fixing part300 from the packaging assembly.

The first cabinet 110 may further include a rear panel 111 defining arear surface of the first cabinet 110 and detachably provided to thefirst cabinet 110.

Referring to FIG. 11(a), when transportation of the first cabinet 110and the second cabinet 210 is completed, the rear panel 111 of the firstcabinet 110 is separated.

Referring to FIG. 11(b), the supporting fixing part 332 is separatedfrom the closing fixing part 331 and drawn out through the rear of thefirst cabinet 110.

Referring to FIG. 11(c), the closing fixing part 331 may be drawn outthrough the rear of the first cabinet 110 via the upper through hole212.

Referring to FIG. 11(d), since the fixing part 330 is completelyremoved, the rear panel 111 may be coupled to the first cabinet 110again.

When the first cabinet 110 and the second cabinet 210 are transported orpackaging again, the operations described above may be performed inreverse order.

The present invention may be embodied in various forms without departingfrom the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that thepresent invention cover the modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A packaging assembly comprising: a support part configured to seatone of the first cabinet and a second cabinet on top of the other one ofthe first cabinet and the second cabinet first cabinet and the secondcabinet on top of the other one of the first cabinet and the secondcabinet to transport the first cabinet and the second cabinet as oneset.
 2. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the support partcomprises a support frame configured to accommodate the first cabinettherein and support the second cabinet placed thereon.
 3. The packagingassembly of claim 2, wherein the support frame comprises: an upper framespaced apart from each corner of a top surface of the first cabinet; anda plurality of side frames extending downward from each vertex of theupper frame.
 4. The packaging assembly of claim 3, further comprising:an upper shock absorption member detachably provided to a corner of atop surface of the first cabinet to support the upper frame; and a sideshock absorption member detachably provided to side corners of the firstcabinet to contact the side frames.
 5. The packaging assembly of claim4, further comprising: a lower shock absorption member detachablyarranged on a bottom surface of the first cabinet to support the firstcabinet and the side shock absorption member.
 6. The packaging assemblyof claim 5, wherein the upper shock absorption member is provided withan upper groove at a corner of the upper shock absorption member, theupper groove accommodating at least one of the upper frame and the sideframe.
 7. The packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the upper groovecomprises: a first groove defined by one stepped corner of the uppershock absorption member to accommodate the upper frame; and a secondgroove defined by a stepped corner adjacent to opposite ends of the onecorner to accommodate the side frame.
 8. The packaging assembly of claim4, wherein the side shock absorption member comprises: a side groovedefined by a stepped corner of the side shock absorption memberpositioned farthest from the first cabinet, the side grooveaccommodating the side frame.
 9. The packaging assembly of claim 5,wherein the side frame extends from the upper frame to a lower end ofthe lower shock absorption member, wherein the lower shock absorptionmember comprises a lower groove formed at each vertex thereof toaccommodate the side frame.
 10. The packaging assembly of claim 9,wherein the lower shock absorption member comprises an accommodationgroove formed in a top surface thereof to accommodate a lower portion ofthe first cabinet.
 11. The packaging assembly of claim 10, furthercomprising: a lower accommodation part configured to accommodate a lowerportion of the lower shock absorption member and fix lower ends of theplurality of side frames.
 12. The packaging assembly of claim 11,wherein the lower accommodation part is formed of a material having highbrittleness.
 13. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstcabinet comprises a first clothes accommodation part configured toaccommodate clothes therein, wherein the support part comprises a fixingpart arranged on the second cabinet to support the first clothesaccommodation part.
 14. The packaging assembly of claim 13, wherein thesecond cabinet comprises a second clothes accommodation part configuredto accommodate clothes therein, wherein the fixing part is supported bythe second clothes accommodation part to support the first clothesaccommodation part.
 15. The packaging assembly of claim 14, wherein thefixing part is supported by the second clothes accommodation part andarranged through a top surface of the second cabinet and a bottomsurface of the first cabinet to support the first clothes accommodationpart.
 16. The packaging assembly of claim 15, wherein the fixing partcomprises: a closing fixing part arranged on an top surface of thesecond clothes accommodation part so as to be parallel to the topsurface of the second cabinet; and a supporting fixing part coupled toan upper portion of the closing fixing part to support the first clothesaccommodation part.
 17. The packaging assembly of claim 16, wherein theclosing fixing part comprises: a closing body supported on the topsurface of the second clothes accommodation part to close a penetratedportion of the second cabinet; a slide groove formed in a top surface ofthe closing body to guide a coupling position of the supporting fixingpart; and a coupling groove formed the top surface of the closing bodyand coupled with the supporting fixing part to fix the supporting fixingpart.
 18. The packaging assembly of claim 17, wherein the supportingfixing part comprises: a fixing body fixed to the closing fixing part tosupport the first clothes accommodation part; a slide rib protrudingfrom the fixing body so as to slide in the slide groove; and a couplingprotrusion protruding from the fixing body so as to be inserted into thecoupling groove and coupled thereto.
 19. The packaging assembly of claim18, wherein one of the coupling protrusion and the coupling groove isprovided with a magnetic force generator configured to generate amagnetic field, and the other one of the coupling protrusion and thecoupling groove is provided with a magnetic member magnetized by themagnetic field of the magnetic force generator.
 20. The packagingassembly of claim 13, wherein the first cabinet further comprises a rearpanel defining a rear surface of the first cabinet and detachablyprovided to the first cabinet, wherein the fixing part is removed fromthe second cabinet by separating the rear panel from the first cabinet.